Automatic faulted feeder section location and isolation method for power distribution systems considering the change of topology

Abstract

The increasing use of modern measuring devices, such as Feeder Terminal Units (FTUs), on power networks can provide multiple types of information for fault location on distribution systems. Using these devices, in this paper, a novel automatic matrix-based algorithm for the identification and isolation of faulted feeder sections on distribution systems is proposed. The algorithm works in two stages: the first stage automatically identifies the radial feeders that make up the whole system and represents the feeders’ topology in matrix form; and the second stage automatically identifies the faulted section of the identified feeder and opens the relevant switches to isolate it. The algorithm can be applied to single and multiple faults, as it operates using measuring device information and detecting the status of switch devices. It does not require any electrical parameters and it is not affected by the fault type or fault resistance. The algorithm was thoroughly tested using a large distribution system and was found to efficiently identify and isolate the faulted feeder section in each case.